Three-Year Promise

"Ahahaha!"

"I did it too!"

Wang Dong jumped up, delight lighting her face.

Having finally absorbed the primordial immortal herb, she had reached that bottleneck too. All she needed now was to absorb a Soul Ring, and she would become a Soul Elder.

"Dong'er, I heard someone among this year's freshmen has already become a Soul Elder. If you devoted even a tenth of your usual attention to cultivation, you wouldn't be in this position."

Niu Tian's words doused Wang Dong with cold water. He knew Tang San and Sister Xiao Wu had originally held high hopes for her, too. But she was far too playful, and as the only life born in the Divine Realm in recent years, she had been showered with affection by all the gods. That was how she had developed such a lazy disposition.

"I know, Big Dad. I'll work hard at cultivating."

Wang Dong spoke with a pout. She knew everyone wanted what was best for her, but lounging around really was so comfortable.

"All right, since you've all finished absorbing your herbs, the next step is to obtain Soul Rings and break through your bottlenecks."

Seeing that Wang Dong had come to her senses somewhat, Niu Tian did not press her further. He adored the child, after all; otherwise, he would not have let her do as she pleased in the lower realm.

At Niu Tian's words, everyone's eyes gleamed, delight spreading across their faces.

No matter when, breaking through a bottleneck to reach the next stage was what Soul Masters looked forward to most.

Youyou nearly burst into cheers. These skinflints had taken quite a few immortal herbs from this place, and now they were finally leaving.

"Oh, right. I remember you can condense a Heart of Silk Beauty. Hand it over."

Niu Tian abruptly turned toward the aromatic silk beauty and began stripping her of resources.

"No! It takes me ten thousand years of cultivation to produce a Heart of Silk Beauty!"

Youyou refused instinctively, but upon sensing Niu Tian's overwhelming aura, she trembled and took out a pearl.

"Uncle Da Ming, let's leave it."

Tang Wulin could not bear it. Although he did not know what the Heart of Silk Beauty did, the fact that it took ten thousand years to produce one was enough to show how precious it was.

Besides, it was called the Heart of Silk Beauty. He did not know whether taking it would harm the aromatic silk beauty. She had treated them quite well during their stay, after all.

"Wulin, this Heart of Silk Beauty is a supreme antidote. Carry it, and every deadly poison within a radius of thirty zhang will become ineffective. Even if you've already been poisoned, holding it in your mouth will neutralize all manner of poisons."

Niu Tian was rather puzzled. As far as he was concerned, they held the upper hand. Besides, this was effectively the Tang family's medicinal garden, and everything in it belonged to the Tang family. Why would Tang Wulin refuse?

Tang Wulin quietly explained his reasons. Ultimately, she was highly intelligent, and he treated her as a person. Kindhearted as he was, he felt the Heart of Silk Beauty was too precious to take from her.

"Ah, a priceless treasure is easily sought, but someone you share a bond with is hard to find."

"I'll give you this Heart of Silk Beauty. I only hope you'll come back to see me often and keep me company."

The aromatic silk beauty offered him the Heart of Silk Beauty again. He had treated her with sincerity, so she could not treat him carelessly.

It's only ten thousand years at most. If I work hard, perhaps I can condense another one in eight or nine thousand years.

Youyou comforted herself with that thought, but her heart still truly ached.

"You have to come back and chat with me. Boohoo~~~"

Youyou's sobs rang out. Her companions here were all dull and taciturn, often spending their time asleep. No matter how lively she was, after staying here for thousands of years, she was bored out of her mind.

"All right, I promise. I swear I'll come back in three years to chat with you. After that, every three years, I'll set aside a few days to visit you all."

Tang Wulin's expression was solemn as he made his vow there.

But then he suddenly looked embarrassed. Scratching his head, he said, "But if something happens and I don't make it here in time, please don't hold it against me. I'll definitely come."

"Third Brother-"

"Wulin-"

"Human-"

Everyone, including the immortal herbs, was stunned by Tang Wulin's words. They had never expected him to make a vow so readily over something like this.

In the end, they had regarded the aromatic silk beauty's words as nothing more than childish banter. Who had not told a friend to remember to visit them when they were little?

But as times and circumstances changed, friends would gradually drift apart, and the words they had spoken back then would long since have scattered on the wind.

"How can you be like this, human?!"

Youyou burst into tears. Her blossoming petals folded inward, as though she were covering her face.

"You absolutely have to come. I'll be waiting for you."

"Of course!"

Tang Wulin smiled brightly.

They left. They still needed to obtain Soul Rings and break through their bottlenecks, after all. Their business here was finished, so there was no reason to stay any longer.

"Jiaojiao, do you think Wulin will really come?"

Youyou swayed as she asked, finding the wait hard to endure. They had only just left, yet she already felt miserable. Having enjoyed such lively company, she found the quiet before her all the more torturous.

"I don't know. Perhaps."

The infernal delicate apricot gave no definite answer. Human hearts were fickle, after all. It would hardly be surprising if he forgot all about it the next day.

"Just wait, then. It's only three years."

The infernal delicate apricot "kindly" offered her advice. This fellow had been the most enthusiastic host of them all, after all.

"All right, I'll wait."

Youyou did not think much more about it and began settling down to await Tang Wulin's return.

"Jiaojiao! I remember humans count time like this, right...?"

"Yes, yes. You're not really going to wait, are you?"

The infernal delicate apricot's voice was filled with astonishment. They were still companions, after all.

But Youyou paid her no further attention, immersing herself in her own world.

"One, two, three, four..."

In the end, the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well failed to regain its former peace.

"You four?"

Wang Yan stared at the four children before him, who had returned from their leave, his eyes full of disbelief. He glanced doubtfully at the calendar. No, he had read it correctly. Only half a month had passed.

How had every one of them suddenly leaped up to Soul Elder?

"Never mind. Those were your own fortuitous encounters. I won't ask any more."

Wang Yan struggled to calm his excitement and adjusted the glasses on the bridge of his nose, but anyone could see how happy he was.

"With the four of you as Soul Elders, we can count on securing the top two places in the Freshman Tournament."

Naturally, Wang Yan did not think the children had been forced to grow like seedlings pulled upward. There was no trace of instability about them, and the dean himself had arranged their leave. He certainly would not have been so shortsighted.

"Don't worry, sir. We'll definitely win this tournament."

Wang Dong raised her arm and drove her elbow down hard, her face brimming with confidence.

She was a rank thirty-five Soul Elder with one yellow and two purple rings. With rank thirty-one Xiao Xiao beside her, she feared no team, even if their third member was just dead weight.

Except for that pair of freaks, Tang Wulin and Huo Yuhao.